THERE ARE certain factors, without which, Galway International Arts Festival would be incomplete - the Big Top in the Fisheries Field, the extraordinary street spectacles, and the buzz around Róisín Dubh.
GIAF 2023 at Róisín Dubh boasts a packed bill to please the ears, feet, and mind with globe spanning music gigs covering indie-rock, folk, African, and jazz, to a wealth of Irish comedy, ensuring this summer will be the funniest on record.
Ailbhe Reddy may only be a relatively new figure on the Irish music scene, but The Irish Times has deemed her one of Ireland’s Brightest Young Talents and one to watch for 2023, while her debut album, Personal History, earned a Choice Music Prize nomination. See her play on Tuesday July 18.
Sorcha Richardson, described by Clash magazine as “one of the country’s most acclaimed contemporary songwriters”, plays on Wednesday July 19. Her music has been compared to Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers, and she was also nominated for the prestigious Choice award.
Talking Heads fans will be keen to get to Róisín Dubh on Thursday July 20 and Friday 21 when the London Astrobeat Orchestra perform music by the legendary band over both nights.
The orchestra, affectionately nicknamed the “African Talking Heads”, reimagine songs from David Byrne & Co’s classic 1984 Stop Making Sense concert film in a West African style. Expect, as world Headquarters said, “energy that will totally blow your wig off”.
Elaine Mai, an “electronic powerhouse”, according to Breaking Tunes, plays on Saturday July 22. Her emotive dance music has won critical and public acclaim and saw her debut album, Home, receive two Choice Music Prize nominations. She also landed a publishing deal with dance music industry icon Nick Halkes - further proof of her ascent.
A Galway music institution, and one of the city’s favourite nights out, the John Conneely Inc. Big Band continue their much loved Róisín Dubh residency on Sunday July 23. Expect interpretations of Django Reinhardt, Nina Simone, Cab Calloway, and songs from the 80s and 90s.
County Kerry’s Junior Brother is a key figure in the current neo-folk movement in Ireland. His music has won huge acclaim from critics and earned the admiration of his peers. Signed to the Galway based independent label, Strange Brew Records, the singer and his band play on Tuesday July 25.
Les SalAmandas are “a seriously promising new force in Irish music”, according to HotPress. The Cork based, Irish-French duo, whose music ranges from indie to folk, to Americana, released their debut album, There’s A Sea Between Us, earlier this year. See them on stage on Wednesday July 26.
Robert Forster is a key figure in Indie music. In the 1980s, as one half of The Go-Betweens, he and band co-founder Grant McLennan, created a series of albums that are a touchstone of the genre. Forster remains a vital creative force, with his latest album, The Candle and The Flame, released earlier this year, being described by Pitchfork as sounding “as fresh as the morning air”. See this indie legend on Thursday July 27.
New Orleans music, culture, and celebration will come to Galway on Friday July 28 when Cha Wa take to the stage. The band fuses New Orleans brass band and funk styles with the tradition of the Mardi Gras Indian - African-American carnival revellers who dress in costumes inspired by Native American ceremonial apparel.
The brilliant All Tvvins make a welcome return to the Róisín on Saturday July 29. The furious guitar riffs and indie electronica created by Conor Adams and Lar Kaye resulted in their debut album, IIVV reaching No 2 on the Irish charts and a Choice nomination for Irish Album of the Year.
Susan O’Neill, possessor of a “gorgeous soulful voice” according to Golden Plec, is a major talent on the rise. Her 2021 collaboration with Mick Flannery, In The Game, was possibly the best Irish album of that year, deservedly earning Choice Music Prize and RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Award nominations. The plaudits did not stop there, as last year Susan’s own song, ‘Now You See It’ was again nominated in the Folk Awards. See why when she plays on Sunday July 30.
Before one note of music is played in the Róisín for #GIAF23, it is laughter that will be heard from the Dominick Street venue, with comedy shows taking place most nights throughout the festival.
Al Porter’s return to stand-up comedy is possibly the most welcome event in Irish comedy in recent years. The dapper dressed Tallaght funnyman performs on Monday July 17. This is not to be missed as it will be a special one-off show tailored specifically for GIAF23.
Paul Currie is a true original, a unique and incomparable presence among Irish comedians. The Belfast man’s surreal, Dada-esque, comedy, which can include puppets and non-verbal action, is certainly not traditional, but is always brilliant, hilarious, and sometimes quite moving. See his new show, ‘Shtoom’ on Monday July 24.
